Sunday, 4 December 2011

Larry Tomczak Finally Has His Say (via Dan Bowen)

My note on this copy post:

Why is this important? After all, this represents an organisation rooted and grounded in the second level of seeing. Originally at least, SGM preached the two layer gospel of Repent,be baptised in water, and then two, be filled with the Holy Spirit. What do you mean originally? Well, many of these type of churches...and without having been there , Dunstable apparently seems to be one of the worst examples (not part of SGM network), have now been bewitched by Reformed doctrine.

What do you mean bewitched? How it works is this. When the Spirit working in the life of a believer produces effects that either 1. don't lead to what is judged to the eye as sanctification 2. or appear to lead to other disturbing results

- immature spiritual leaders panic, and instead of looking properly to God to get His eye view.....(probably that all the dark hidden secret foundations that really run believer's lives are now being squarely challenged by the Spirit as He unearths them one by one) they look back to the flesh as they did in Galations, and start to slap "external laws/conditions and behaviours" on new believer's lives.

Inserted biography as example: What do I mean? Emsworth
Church was founded by revelation.Jean Darnall,Harry Greenwood and others
gave "words" out of nowhere.The Church foundation word was "given by
accident" as an apostle passed through a prayer meeting. The Foundation
of the Church WAS to be Bible House...a prototype of how future church
was to function in the Spirit. The whole pattern of it "came down the
mountain". It was not dreamt up. Both Ed Miller and later Jorge got the
patterns (2 rolled into one) in heaven waiting on God.I don't think I
was too different ,because flesh is flesh, but I was probably the worst.
The week I arrived, my first houseowners "saw in the Spirit" a "lurker"
walking about my room.I wasnt there.I was also unaware of this in my
life.Anyhow, I feel sure (without knowing properly) that immature
leadership decided to abandon the project after what happened with all
of us, and in particular me. 2ndlevellers have absolutely no clue of the
intercession involved in bringing people forth in Christ. They read,
but cannot perceive in the Spirit the words of St Paul" I came amongst
you to find Christ crucified."

Does that mean Reformed doctrine is wrong? No. For the most part, it ties in with scriptures. The bad thing about it when you look in the Spirit is that you are encouraging Christians to

try and be better Christians by doing this........ and that

not ever seeing in the Spirit that the Christian at his/her core centre has never been founded properly on their inner believing of who they now are in Christ

So, never breaking into the third level of seeing, why is it a surprise that this list of behaviour issues should manifest

extract from below: Five issues
were highlighted at that time: 1) Pride, Sectarianism and Elitism 2)
Self-righteousness and Judgmentalism 3) Blackmail and Intimidation 4)
Lack of Integrity and Deceitfulness 5) Abuse of Spiritual Authority.

This is none other than a part of the list that Jesus reeled off in His ministry describing the Jews trying to live in "flesh righteousness". So again, why should this be a surprise among an organisation that has only 2 out of the three layers of foundational revelation of the life in Christ.

Well, I have included this post for this reason.

Larry Tomczak and CJ Mahaney were "something else". In the 1980s, when even John Wimber was John Wimber, that is a ministry that although firmly promoted the Body of Christ as an every member ministry, was still mysteriously doing the promoting in the name of a single individual with a team.... Larry and CJ were breaking the mould. They truly were something quite new in the earth. A twin ministry of mightily anointed people, commencing the message of grace to the Spirit-filled community. What had been emerging in corners through Maurice Smith, was here being brandished openly and imparted by a lovely twin ministry.

But ofcourse, this grace message foundation is Romans 3 to 5 ministry, and hasn't even entered into the territory of Romans 6 to 8 which is explained at the side of this blog by Norman Grubb in the link.

Now the default in Spirit "works", Spirit -filled churches, across the Body worldwide is for these new churches to hit a wall about the time we would be beginning to share the "lead up" to the third level. The church I was in at Emsworth in the eighties hit the same wall.

Leaders either break through personally to discovering the third level, or they redouble control and slowly the Lampstand of the church is withdrawn. Opposite where Emsworth Church (NLCC)now meet was a tin tabernacle hut first opened by Smith Wigglesworth as a visiting Pentecostal minister. 60 years on, a sad and tired old lady handed over the key to us to continue the work of the gospel. She was the last member. Same story.

Below is of interest though, because Larry at least, seems to have a heart to move on in God, and I have every reason to believe that the God who moved me on, will also move him on. But the bigger question is what will happen to SGM as a whole. It is being seduced by the same Reformed demon as Dunstable church at the moment....so a mighty mighty touch would be needed. And usually, history shows it is just simpler working with fresh wineskins, as Jesus would say.

To recap on the header illustration: If you as a church are not prepared to press through in Christ until He Himself has shod you properly with the gospel of peace - "How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news...."

you will cut your losses and seek to manufacture the same results artificially by resorting to works, or in this case Reformed Doctrine.

As
you read of our time with Sovereign Grace Ministries, we are sharing
some traumatic experiences, yet endeavoring to do so accurately and
redemptively. I want to say at the outset that I am not blameless, but I
at times yielded to a spirit of fear when told I “lacked discernment”
and was at times cowardly when I should have addressed unrighteous
behavior. Where we participated in any unredemptive treatment of God’s
people, we ask for your forgiveness. Over the years Doris and I have met
with numerous people to ask forgiveness and people have been most
gracious to us. Feel free to contact us if you feel a need to revisit
any past experiences. Thank you in advance for your mercy and love. Let
us unite in prayer that what we communicate will help many, bring
healing and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.

“But Joseph said to
them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? And as for you, you
meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about
this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore do not
be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones. So he comforted
them and spoke kindly to them.” Gen. 50:19-21

“Encountering
departures and desertions from our ministries—we must see them as
tutors—revealing our real motives and deficiencies in our methodology.
These are tests from God. They will reveal our hearts.” -Dave Harvey,
SGM Leader

Note: This quote appeared on the cover page of a paper
I submitted to SGM leaders one year after our 1997 departure, “An
Appeal for Repentance, Reconciliation and Closure.”

Five issues
were highlighted at that time: 1) Pride, Sectarianism and Elitism 2)
Self-righteousness and Judgmentalism 3) Blackmail and Intimidation 4)
Lack of Integrity and Deceitfulness 5) Abuse of Spiritual Authority.

The
paper cited the names of 61 former leaders who experienced mistreatment
(the list is currently over 100) and included an appeal for a forum
where “individuals with outstanding offenses and unresolved issues could
be addressed…these issues will not simply fade away but will continue
lingering for years until dealt with redemptively and honestly.” I
received no response from any team leaders to the paper or appeal for
adjudication. Date of submission: December 1998.

“The sins of
some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the
sins of others trail behind them.” (I Tim.5:24)

Next year I will
celebrate God’s faithfulness in my 40th year of full-time Christian
ministry. At this juncture I sensed it would be helpful to tell the
story of a painful turning point in my life and ministry.

Recently,
I wrote a “Statement of Reconciliation” with CJ Mahaney, attempting to
be as gracious and discrete as possible regarding specifics. But as more
details surfaced on the Internet it became apparent that God wanted
everything in the light. Our experience is not an isolated case. It is
probably one of the most egregious and ignominious examples of deceit
and abusive behavior surfacing in SGM at this time. But it did not
create the crisis. Instead, it revealed how root issues have been
ignored and left unaddressed for too long. May we all proceed in
humility and mercy, mindful of Prov. 28:13, “He who conceals his sin
will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes his sin will obtain
mercy.”

After 24 years of service in the DC area with the “Take
and Give Ministry” (TAG), cofounding Covenant Life Church in our home
and then serving in leadership in Fairfax Covenant Church, I with my
family departed disappointedly, yet hopefully, for better things in
Atlanta in 1996. We knew for a number of years that I was being
marginalized in Sovereign Grace Ministries (formerly People of Destiny
International) and when differences with Reformed doctrine began
surfacing, the tension only increased.

At a youth rally in
Atlanta, one of our teen-age sons responded along with other youth to an
appeal for living genuine Christian lives. That night at home he
voluntarily shared with me areas of waywardness and his desire to
change, but the door was now open to confront me for “failures at home”
and “character deficiencies.” “Apostolic Team” leaders forbade me to be
present for a later meeting with my son where he was told to “share all
your sins” with the vow of their “confidentiality” (which was later
broken).

Subsequently, the team said it “lost confidence in my
leadership,” and agreed to a “leave of absence,” sending out a “letter
of confession” written by me, then undergoing several revisions
affirming SGM leadership and inserting material with which I was
uncomfortable but required to include. At the church meeting announcing
the shift, I was told to nod in agreement for the congregation to
observe.

The agreed upon 6-12 month period was short-circuited
when we experienced a pattern of spiritual abuse, deceit, harshness and
hypocrisy (including premeditated blackmail, communicated and reaffirmed
on numerous occasions and subsequently left to silence and hang over us
for over a decade). The entire apostolic team and the new senior pastor
and his staff participated in this. We also were told to consider
uprooting to Virginia Beach or Phoenix, which we said we could not do
because we did not sense this to be God’s will for our family. Criteria
established for returning to my former role as senior pastor made that
outcome an impossibility unless I embraced the Reformed doctrinal tenets
(although people nationwide were deliberately misled with information
to the contrary).

My wife and I finally left PDI when things
finally reached the “untenable” point. It became for us a matter of
conscience. Disingenuous public statements and letters sent nationwide
misrepresented what actually happened and I was publically slandered at
Covenant Life Church, called a “liar” (with guests and non-believers
present) as the leader declared, “I’d rather be dead than do what Larry
Tomczak is doing!” Local leaders were affirmed leading to an almost
unanimous standing ovation. My reputation built upon 25 years in
ministry, was debased nationally and abroad. My “Seven Reasons for
Departing PDI” were not conveyed and for 13 years this perception
remained in the public domain, separating our family from many
relatives, friends and leaders in the Body of Christ. It also resulted
in serious financial repercussions for us as a family of six.

For
over a decade we tried to bring CJ and the apostolic team to account
for the injustice, even enlisting nationally known leaders in the
effort, but to no avail. Finally, in November of 2010 he consented.
Years of confrontation by SGM leaders and CLC pastors along with the
turmoil and defections of people in the network of churches brought CJ
to the realization he needed to repent of longstanding sins, some of
which were committed in our unfortunate departure. CJ later made a
public confession of some of his transgressions at Covenant Life Church
and announced a “leave of absence.” Many believe his confession was a
start but was incomplete and minimized the severity of the issues. We
were invited to the November SGM Pastors Conference and Covenant Life
Church to speak on reconciliation, but the invitation was rescinded. At
the conference CJ shared he regretted having taken the leave of absence.

CJ’s
example, problems surfacing in churches affiliated with SGM, and
Internet disclosures from a former apostolic team member were catalytic
in some SGM leaders beginning to come forward to repent and rectify
matters with our family. One former team member had already done so
years previously, after experiencing abusive treatment leading to his
departure. An independent advisory panel, Ambassadors of Reconciliation,
has been retained to engage in a discovery process to help facilitate
reconciliation with former members and leaders who believe they have
been spiritually abused. The panel is also collecting information to
assist with reforms needed in SGM as well as assist in determining CJ
Mahaney’s future status.

May the Lord guide us all as we
redemptively deal with past transgressions and find His grace manifested
in this time of reconciliation, reform and discipline for Sovereign
Grace Ministries. The changes are not cosmetic but substantive to
effectively eradicate systemic issues and transform a leadership culture
that has drifted from Biblical norms. Two of the churches in Revelation
faced the practice of the Nicolaitans (“suppress the people”). One
hated it; the other held to it (Rev.2:6 & 15). May SGM leaders align
with the former.

To be faithful to criteria for Biblical
leadership; to steer clear of the sin of favoritism and partiality; and
to be consistent with what was expected of former SGM leaders, I believe
senior leaders should step down for a season to be retooled for
ministry according to I Pet. 5 and I Tim. 3 standards. Public repentance
and public statements should be made along with restitution where
appropriate. Then and only then, can the favor of Almighty God return in
its fullness to this ministry and unity be restored. The warning of
God’s “lampstand” (His Presence) being removed (Rev. 2:5) is very real
when a church or ministry is being evaluated by Jesus and fails to
respond. Many onlookers are hoping and praying that will not happen.

Then
we all can pray like Nehemiah did after he instituted reforms to
restore the walls of the city of God: “Remember me with favor, O my
God.” (Neh. 13:31)

ps: Because the issues and contents of this
statement have already been made public at church meetings and on the
Internet for months, I sensed it was appropriate to release my story at
this time. CJ and I are almost 40-year friends and our reconciliation
statement still stands. In my study I keep a plaque he gave me decades
ago. On it are the words: “My Brother, I would not be the man I am
without your care and example. I am eternally indebted to you. Your
Yokefellow, CJ.” I would add: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
(Prov. 27:6)

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This blog was conceived on the 8th August 2008,hence its title. 8 is the number of new beginnings, which was also the prophetic declaration over the Church through various prophets in 2008.On,Now,To the Third Level is not some elite form of Christianity. It is God's Norm. Watchman Nee would have called it the Normal Christian Life. Others in time past called it brokenness. We call it life. Rob Rufus explains in "Taking Away The Veil" that Christ has opened the way through to God for us. We can live there.Why bother using the phrase "Third Level"? Because there are 3 places in God's Tabernacle. And there are 3 stages of growth in 1 John 2. More than this, historically and corporately we have known forgiveness by grace. Then from 1906 onward the Church has known a charismatic empowering by grace. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and supernatural manifestations.But what we are now saying is we can live full-time to God's glory and in God's glory. There are keys of faith to each stage and in these last days God has been revealing the grace keys to this final level....a level that has had the Veil Taken Away.It is the level that is the full realisation of the New Covenant in Christ's Blood, but also the life that God promised when He said "The Knowledge of the Glory of God shall cover the Earth as the Waters Cover the Sea".A FULL LIST OF SUBJECT LABELS CAN BE FOUND LISTED ALPHABETICALLY AT THE BASE OF THIS PAGE.

About Me

This blog has a pre-history in around 100 pages on the comments sections of Dan Bowen's blog - Life on Wings,(see Dan's Vault Link in Chris's Resources below)Much autobiography is included. All posts are by me unless otherwise named.